Associate Category Manager – Supply Chain

Ace Hardware•Oak Brook, IL

About The Position

The Associate Category Manager will support the strategic management of Supply Chain spend categories, including the development, execution, and management of sourcing initiatives across indirect and capital expenditures. This role will conduct data analysis to identify cost optimization opportunities, support the development of negotiation strategies, and maintain ongoing communication with key stakeholders. You will collaborate with internal partners to optimize sourcing decisions, manage supplier relationships, and strengthen the governance of organizational spend.

Requirements

An undergraduate degree in relevant areas such as Procurement, IT, Supply Chain, Marketing, Business Management, Operations, or Finance.
Ability to build relationships with stakeholders to gather requirements and specifications from departments and category experts.
Must possess 3-5 years of relevant experience (e.g. – sourcing, buying or procurement).
Must have strong analytical, problem solving, organization and project management skills.
Strong interpersonal and written communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
Experience in e-souring/contracts management tool.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the supply chain, distribution, logistics or related spend categories.
Experience supporting supplier negotiations and competitive sourcing events.
Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint, with the ability to analyze data and communicate recommendations clearly.
Familiarity with data visualization, automation, or AI-enabled productivity and analytical tools.

Responsibilities

Partner with business stakeholders on primarily supply chain and distribution-related sourcing initiatives.
Obtain stakeholder alignment, gather business requirements and data, develop and manage RFx events, analyze results, consult with Procurement leadership on negotiation strategies, communicate recommendations, and demonstrate the value delivered through the sourcing process.
Conduct supplier, market, and industry research to understand category trends, competitive dynamics, emerging technologies, and supplier capabilities in support of category and sourcing strategies.
Build alignment around recommendations by clearly communicating business value, addressing stakeholder questions, and supporting informed decision-making.
Develop clear project summaries, reports, presentations, sourcing documentation, and knowledge resources.
Leverage procurement technology, data analytics, and emerging AI-enabled tools to improve research, analysis, sourcing efficiency, and the quality of business recommendations.
Support Indirect Procurement departmental goals, including sourced savings, spend under management, contract coverage, process rigor, and stakeholder engagement.

Benefits

Incentive opportunities
Generous 401(k) retirement savings plan with a fully vested matching contribution the first year in addition to quarterly contributions and annual discretionary contribution
Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision and disability – up to 26 weeks short-term disability and long-term disability) & life insurance benefits for you and your dependents
21 days of vacation immediately available (prorated in the first year) and up to 6 paid holidays depending on the month of hire
Company Car, phone and fuel card are provided for field-based positions
Annual Ace Cares Week
20 hours off work per year to volunteer at an organization of your choice
Opportunities to help Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the Ace Helpful Fund through the Ace Foundation
On-site classes, facilitator-led courses
Generous tuition assistance program
Frequent campus events like Employee Appreciation Week, vendor demos, cookouts, and merchandise sales
Services such as mobile spas, auto maintenance, car wash and detailing, dry cleaning, dentists, eye doctors, flu shots, recycling
Employee discounts on Ace merchandise (including top brands like Weber, Traeger, Yeti, Craftsman, DeWalt and more), travel, fitness, computers and thousands more
Birth/Adoption bonding paid time off
Adoption cost reimbursement
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – access to free visits to therapists and lawyers, guidance on financial matters, elder and childcare, and assistance with tickets to entertainment events
Identity theft protection